| JESSIE: I reached quickly for my sunglasses, as did Tay, when we walked hand in hand out into the bright sunlit day. I looked up at my gorgeous sweet husband and smiled, squeezing his hand. He smiled down at me as he held the door to the small restaurant open for me. He laid his hand on my lower back as we waited to be seated, talking quietly. We were so engrossed in each other that we didn't notice that this small place was very busy and seemed to be running shorthanded, until a harried looking young man breathlessly asked if we needed to be seated in smoking or non-smoking. "Non.." we replied simultaneously, as I flipped my sunglasses up onto my head, holding my hair off my face and Tay hung his on the neck of his shirt. We looked up and smiled as the poor kid's eyes widened in recognition of Taylor and then, to my astonishment, me. "Oh you guys I am soooo sorry you had to wait so long...the usual waitress called in sick at the last minute and.." he hurriedly tried to explain. Tay and I both chuckled and tried to reassure him. "It's okay , man. We really didn't notice and we're not in any rush..I don't think.." Tay looked questioningly at me. "Oh for goodness' sake Tay! I'm hungry, but I'm not gonna pass out or anything..give the poor guy a break.." I giggled. "If you could just find us a table kind of out of the way and bring my husband his coffee fix, we'll be fine for a few minutes while you catch up." I smiled. "Your hus...?" his eyes widened again, making me laugh. I nodded. "Oh...Oh...okay...I just cleared the perfect one...follow me." he said quickly, leading us to the back of the restaurant. He seated us at a booth, situated sort of in a corner, not right next to a window but where we could look out at the beautiful view of the higher mountains and the other tourists walking by. "Will this be alright?" the young man asked, finally relaxing a little. |
| "Just fine.." I smiled as Taylor helped me out of my light jacket and I slid into the booth. "It's great.." Tay assured him as he took off his own jacket and slid into the booth next to me. The kid let out a deep breath and I smiled at my husband. "Did you both want coffee?" the young man asked. "I would." Taylor answered, and looked questioningly at me. "None for me..but if you could bring me the biggest glass of ice water you have?" "I'll be right back.." he smiled brightly and hurried off toward the kitchen. Tay and I chuckled together and looked over the menu. When the waiter returned with the coffee and a couple of glasses of ice water, he asked to take our order. Taylor gave it to him and the poor boy's eyes widened in disbelief. Taylor laughed, "Hey don't look at me, that's just her breakfast.." I smacked him on the arm, and laughed. "Don't tease him, Tay. Can't you see he's swamped? Besides, that was just YOUR breakfast, I haven't ordered yet.." I looked up at the dark haired kid and smiled. He finally completely relaxed, and laughed. He put his pencil behind his ear and his hand on his hip. "Want me to just bring you one of everything?" he asked. Taylor and I both laughed. "Nah man. Just what you have written there will be good. Thanks." Tay told him. "Alright then.." he repeat our order to make sure it was right and went back into the kitchen. It did actually take quite a while for our food to arrive, but when the waiter brought it out it was hot and completely perfect. Tay and I ate and talked, catching up on every detail of what we had done while he had been away and what we would be doing in the next few months. "Did you make your next doctor's appointment yet, Jess?" he asked me. "Uh-uh...we WERE kind of busy.." I grinned. "Why?" |
| JESSIE: "I kinda wanted to be home for it." he said, pushing the food on his plate around. "Tay." I laid my hand on his knee. "I KNOW you can't be home for every single appointment. And the first ones are just basic checkups. By the time I really, REALLY need you to be there, the tour will be done, baby. And I PROMISE to tell you everything. I'll even shove one of those little interview tape recorders that interviewers use in Dr. West's face while he's talking if you want.." I grinned and squeezed his thigh. He looked over at me and gave me a small smile. "Oh come on, honey. He'll probably just weigh me, get on my case for letting you get my heart rate up too high all week and listen to littleman's heartbeat." I teased trying to make him smile. He looked at me shocked instead. "What?" I asked, blinking in surprise. "You did it again." he smiled. "What did I do?" I asked, still confused. "Never mind Jess. Are you finished?" he asked. "Yeah..stuffed.." I giggled, realizing that I had actually cleaned my plate for a change. "Why, are you tired of sitting here?" I asked him. "I could sit anywhere forever with you, Jessie Hanson. But I think we should get going, before the whole town has been alerted and the vultures swoop down on us.." he looked over his shoulder at the kid who waited on us, and the group of young people clustered around him. "Okay, baby. Let's go.." I said and let him help me out of the booth and into my jacket. "At least he let us eat in peace, gotta give him that." I grinned. Taylor kept his arm lightly around my waist as he handed the kid his credit card to pay for our breakfast. The rest of the group did really well, I thought, waiting until Tay had signed the receipt before asking, since he already had a pen in his hand, to sign a few autographs. We looked at each other and then Taylor sweetly signed their things, before he finally stated that we had to leave. "But Jessie didn't sign anything yet..would you? Please?" one of the girls asked. |
| "Sure sweetie.." I smiled, took the pen from Tay and started signing. "Did I get everybody?" I asked, looking around. "Thank you sooooo much.." the girl smiled. Tay and I thanked them, waved goodbye and slipped our sunglasses on as we headed out the door. Once outside we breathed a sigh of relief, and walked quickly hand in hand back to the hotel for our bags and to pick up the car. |
| TAYLOR: I was glad that Jess handled the recognition so well, but at the same time I wanted to throw her over my shoulder, stuff her in the car and get the hell out of here so I could have my wife to myself, considering that I had to go back out on the road soon after we got home. I noticed that she kept up with my quick pace, without complaining on the short walk back to the hotel. We went inside and the desk clerk informed us that our car had been delivered, handed me the keys, and tried to send someone after our bags. "That's okay.." Jess piped up. "Can we just get them Tay? There's something I forgot.." she said. "If that's what you want, Jess. But I watched you pack.." I told her. "Just humor me okay?" she smiled. "Okay..let's go then.." |